A reckless arsonist has been locked up for three years after torching a beloved comic book shop in Rochester.
Early Morning Blaze Outside High Street Shop
At 5am on Tuesday, 26 August 2025, flames were deliberately set outside a popular comic book store on Rochester’s High Street. The fire seriously damaged the shop’s exterior as the culprit calmly watched the chaos unfold on CCTV before escaping the scene.
Repeat Offender Busted
Police quickly identified the arsonist as 31-year-old Zygimantas Dranseika. Just two months earlier, he’d received a suspended sentence for a similar fire crime. Homeless and a known risk, Dranseika was arrested two days later and charged with arson and reckless endangerment on 29 August 2025.
He pleaded guilty in November and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on 30 January 2026. The court also added time for breaching his suspended sentence.
Police Slam Fire-Obsessed Criminal
“Dranseika has proven himself to be fascinated by fire, putting his unhealthy obsession before the welfare and livelihoods of other people,” said investigating officer PC Sophie Lawrie. “His actions caused significant financial damage, and it’s very fortunate no one was hurt by the blaze. Medway is safer now he’s behind bars.”
